S. Korea to inject 1.1 tln won to boost rural economy

S. Korea to inject 1.1 tln won to boost rural economy
SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to inject 1.1 trillion won (US$953
million) over the next five years to fuel personnel exchanges between urban and
rural communities that can help stimulate the farming sector, the government said
Wednesday.

The 2010-2014 plan unveiled by the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries aims to attract 9.7 million visitors to the countryside and generate
some 114 billion won in fresh sales annually that can benefit the rural economy.
The measures, which are similar to programs underway in Britain, France and
Japan, is designed to maximize the tourism value of South Korea's countryside and
allow city dwellers to experience first hand life at farms.
"Funds and administrative support will go into strengthening and expanding
urban-rural tie-up projects although most of the money will be used for
infrastructure building," an official said.
Infrastructure building covers building of recreational facilities, ecological
theme parks, and tourist ranches in rural areas by 2014. Other measures include
setting up so-called model urban-rural exchange programs and training of at least
1,000 experts that can manage such programs.
One such program covers a "Farm School" project that will be launched for
students in urban areas to get back to nature and experience the country life
through studying at rural schools for six or more months, it said.
Of the total to be invested the farm ministry said it has secured 212.5 billion
won for 2010, with talks to be carried out with other government agencies and
lawmakers in the future for the remaining funds.
jia@yna.co.kr
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